Days 62-63

Day 62: good reports

Today I'm thankful for good doctor's reports. Step-down on medication, lung capacity significantly increased.

Day 63: school conferences

I'm also thankful for school conferences. Today that means class is cancelled this afternoon. Extra time for homework, unrushed lunch, and hangout with friends :) good times

Day 61: pockets

Today I am thankful for pockets. Especially on dresses and skirts. Especially pockets that are big enough and comfortable enough to put things in. :D

What are you thankful for today?

Days 57-60

Day 57: water bottles

Not the kind that you buy at the grocery store, but a travel mug version of a water bottle. I left mine in the car Thursday and was really missing it. It's great to be able to carry a cool drink around with you. I like to fill mine all the way up with ice before putting water in it.

Day 58: people who randomly pay for my dinner

I am thankful for people who randomly pay for my dinner. Even if it's the result of a joke or something. Spontaneous generosity is appreciated. 

Day 59: pleasant surprises

Like going out to breakfast and trying something new only to discover it includes one of your favorite ingredients. (Big Baja Benedict at Perkins...with pepper jack cheese!). Or finding a long lost favorite CD somewhere and listening to it in the car :)

Day 60: wind

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

I love how it makes the trees dance...and the way it sounds and the way it feels. And something about the way it makes it very difficult for me to concentrate on homework. 

So, school's getting ready to wind down for the semester, and I'm busy. I know I haven't been super regular about posting, but I've covered all the days so far. 

How are you all doing?

What are you thankful for today?

Have a great weekend :)

Days 55 & 56

Day 55: whistling

Today I am thankful for the ability to whistle. I don't remember particularly who taught me to whistle, although it think it may have been my grandfather, but I have a vague recollection of frustration at not being able to whistle. Anyways, I like to whistle. I whistle fairly often. And I'm very glad I can do it :)

Day 56: library

Today I'm also thankful for libraries. I love being able to go and check out all kinds of books. I am particularly fond of the library at my school. It is quiet and peaceful. And it has a really nice couch. I easily spend 8-10 hours a week in there.

So, today it's unseasonably cool out. And I'm in the school library studying for an upcoming exam.

What are you up to?

What are you thankful for today?

Days 53 & 54

Day 53: composure 

Sometimes things can be awkward. And today I'm thankful for the ability to retain my composure in awkward situations.

Day 54: tea

Today I am also thankful for tea. Because it's warm, comes in a variety of flavors, and can often be used as a natural remedy. 

Day 52: sleep

"he giveth his beloved sleep." 

Psalm 127:2

Today I am thankful for sleep. First, because I'm tired. But mostly, because it is amazing to me how sleeping can make me feel better. Physically and emotionally.

Did any of you catch the irony of my use of Psalm 127:2 considering that I'm up writing this at 11:50pm? :P

What are you thankful for today?

Days 50 & 51

Day 50: confrontations

To clarify: do I like confrontations? Not at all. But I am very thankful for them. And I am thankful for the people who are willing to call me out and say "you missed something." Sometimes I can't see a situation for what it is because I'm in the middle of it. Because I can't see the forest for the trees, as they say. But I'm thankful for when people come and pull me out of that and help me look at things differently.

Day 51: God-ordained meetings/conversations

Specifically, the kind I'm thinking about are when you start talking to someone you just met and then like an hour later you're like "wow, that was one of the best conversations I've had all week." Conversations like that challenge me to take the initiative in talking with people more often. Talking to people is often a conscious decision for me. I'm really thankful for those times when I feel like I should speak up...and then everything turns out brilliantly, in a totally "that was supposed to happen" kind of way. Like when you go speak to someone and you think God might want you to encourage them, but they encourage you.

Anyone had any similar experiences?

What are you thankful for today?

Day 49: maxi dresses

Today I'm thankful for maxi dresses/skirts. Because they look dressy but feel like you're wearing pajamas. I could do this all day :)

Day 48: the Bible

Today I am thankful for the fact that I can hold the word of God in my hands. This is something I often take for granted, but I really shouldn't. The fact that I have a copy (in fact, I personally have several) when many people the world over don't have one is something to be thankful for. Even more so that God would see fit to provide mankind with His word, so that we could know what He desires of us. We do not deserve this.

What are you thankful for today?

Days 46 & 47

Day 46: interruptions 

Today I am thankful for interruptions (which are really hard to be thankful for, especially while they're happening). I'm thankful for them because they force me out of the stress. The force me to look at where I am and what I'm doing from a different angle. They give me a chance to sort through things. They give me opportunities to spend time with people I love...when I think I'm too busy for anything.

Day 47: patio 

Today I'm also thankful for our back patio. Because it means I can sit outside and enjoy the weather. :) And when other people are in the yard it's a really nice mix between being around people and being alone.

What are you thankful for today?

Days 44 & 45

Day 44: extra credit

Today I'm thankful for extra credit opportunities :)

Day 45: legs

I'm also thankful for having legs. It's really nice to be able to walk around and run and climb stairs and stuff like that. 

Day 43: inability

Life is not about me. Sometimes I take myself too seriously...especially when I don't know what road to take. Not that decision making isn't important, but it sometimes feels like the fate of the world hangs in the balance, like if I make the wrong decision my life will crumble... I get so stressed out. Sometimes about things that are relatively small, or that might not be big deals to other people. But I don't have to be afraid of making the wrong choice. In light of eternity these choices are small...and I can't mess up God's plan. That's what I'm thankful for today: my complete inability to wreck or ruin God's ultimate plan to bring Himself glory. Life is about Him.

Do you ever get stressed about decision making?

What are you thankful for today?

Day 42: intercessory prayer

Today I'm thankful for when people pray for me. I was super stressed out this morning and it was awesome to know I had people praying for me. Everything turned out well and I super appreciate the prayer.

What are you thankful for today?

Day 41: old friends

Today I am thankful for seeing old friends in random places likes grocery stores. 

What are you thankful for today?

Day 40: resurrection

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" John 11:25-26

Today is Resurrection Day, the day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after He had been crucified. 

Scripture says that Jesus Christ was raised up from the dead for the justification of those who believe in Him (Romans 4:24-25). Justification is the act of legally declaring one innocent.

Thus, Christ's resurrection declares those who believe in him to be innocent in the sight of God.

Today I'm thankful for this celebration, and for the resurrection we celebrate.

What are you thankful for today?

Day 39: walk with dad

Yesterday, I went on a walk with my dad. They basically had to make [strongly encourage] me go because I was so stressed out about school. He just wanted to get something at the library but it ended up being closed. We walked around the pond behind the library. It was the first time I had been back there. It was great. It got to be pretty windy and started raining towards the end, but it was really nice to be able to get out and spend time with my dad. That's what I'm thankful for today. 

What are you thankful for?

Day 38: plans

Today I am thankful for having a plan. Having an idea of where I'm going. Whether for the week, semester, or next few years. 

What are you thankful for today?

Day 37: refiner's fire

Today I'm thankful for those hard things the LORD allows His children to go through. The things that make us stronger, even when they hurt. Things He uses to smooth our rough edges and make us more like Himself. Life is not always easy. It doesn't always make sense. But I'm so glad that He's got me and that it's for my good. 

I usually listen to Guy Penrod sing this, but he wasn't on YouTube and these kids made me happy :)

What are you thankful for today?

Day 36: a friend

Today I am thankful for a friend. This particular friend is really good at making me do things that I don't want to do but are good for me. Or I guess I should say encourage. He encourages me to do things that are good for me. And I can always count on him for good advice. 

What are you thankful for today?